Community Corner
Has Your Vehicle Been Damaged During the Center Reconstruction?
Some have complained about damage to their vehicles because of the construction downtown.
Two drivers reported last week that their cars had suffered damage after hitting manhole covers in the center of Northborough, according to the police department's incident log. Another two reported damage on Thursday due to construction on Main Street.
In response, a reader, Jane, commented, "Two blow-outs in just one day? Just the other day I wondered how long the manhole covers would be left raised. With so many raised covers in the center it's like driving at an obstacle course and I just knew tire blow-outs would be happening. I'm sure there are and will be more. The saga of the center renovation has dragged on and I'm hard pressed to see the benefits other than employing people. This job might not be the fiasco of the Big Dig but to a small town it's a pathetic excuse for road repair and redesign."
Fred Litchfield, town engineer, said that he was unsure of how many, or the nature, of any complaints related to car damage and the Downtown Improvement Plan, as complaints are submitted to various departments, as well as the state.
"I know some complaints have been received in my office and several more in the DPW office," said Litchfield.
The manhole covers had been raised in preparation for a final coat of asphalt, which is expected to be installed during the first week in July.
For anyone who does incur vehicle damage due to the Downtown Traffic Improvement Project, the town indicates that calls should be made to contractor Tropeano's liability insurance company at 978-689-2745.
If no response is received from the liability insurance company, calls should be placed to Bruce Willins of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation at 877-623-6846. Snail mail address is: Massachusetts Highway Department, Accident Recovery Program, State Transportation Building, Ten Park Plaza, Room 7410, Attn: Bruce Willins, Boston, MA 02116.
Has your car been damaged due to the construction? If so, did you report it? Let us know your situation in the comments section.
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